PCB discusses changes to tent ordinance

By VALERIE GARMAN / The News Herald

Published: Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 08:12 PM.

Gisbert agreed to explore the possibility of using the hours prior to sunset as a notice period during the busy summer months when the days are longer, but the change ultimately is to keep crews working during the daylight hours.

“I agree it was a problem,” Bennett said of the tents left on the beach prior to the ordinance. “But taking somebody’s tent down prior to sunset … I think that’s a challenge.”

The amendment also would require rental units on the beach to post flyers informing guests to “Leave no Trace.”

Mayor Gayle Oberst said the TDC has already spent $165,000 on informing the public about the ordinance and is willing to spend additional dollars to print the flyers.

Gisbert said problems arose upon enforcement of the ordinance when calls from people who lost their tents began to stream into the Panama City Beach Police Department, the city and the TDC.

Councilman Keith Curry said he did not see a need for the change and cast the council’s only dissenting vote.

“I thought the Leave No Trace ordinance and how we pushed it through was fairly effective,” Curry said. “My question is, what problem has created a need to post a sign in 13,000 units on the beach?”

PANAMA CITY BEACH — The Bay County Tourist Development Council (TDC) made it clear last summer — via banner planes, billboards and commercials — that tents are not welcome on the beach at night.

The Panama City Beach Council, in conjunction with Bay County, is now looking into some changes to the “Leave No Trace” ordinance, which went into effect June 14.

The original ordinance prohibits any personal items left between the water line and the toe of the dune from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Enforcement of the ordinance began on July 8.

The council approved the first reading of an amendment to the ordinance Thursday, which would change the hours of enforcement from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Neel Bennett, owner of the Seahaven Development on Panama City Beach, expressed concern over the proposed change in time for tent collection during the peak summer season.

“I’m worried if we’re taking or moving somebody’s compound prior to sunset, then we’re going to have a problem,” Bennett said. “If someone gets a drink and comes down to watch the sunset and their tent’s gone it’s going to be a problem.”

City Manager Mario Gisbert said the change in hours would allow cleanup crews to work during the daylight hours, which would make it safer for beachgoers and nesting sea turtles. When patrolling at night during sea turtle nesting season, cleanup crews are required to have a member of the local turtle watch group with them.

Gisbert agreed to explore the possibility of using the hours prior to sunset as a notice period during the busy summer months when the days are longer, but the change ultimately is to keep crews working during the daylight hours.

“I agree it was a problem,” Bennett said of the tents left on the beach prior to the ordinance. “But taking somebody’s tent down prior to sunset … I think that’s a challenge.”

The amendment also would require rental units on the beach to post flyers informing guests to “Leave no Trace.”

Mayor Gayle Oberst said the TDC has already spent $165,000 on informing the public about the ordinance and is willing to spend additional dollars to print the flyers.

Gisbert said problems arose upon enforcement of the ordinance when calls from people who lost their tents began to stream into the Panama City Beach Police Department, the city and the TDC.

Councilman Keith Curry said he did not see a need for the change and cast the council’s only dissenting vote.

“I thought the Leave No Trace ordinance and how we pushed it through was fairly effective,” Curry said. “My question is, what problem has created a need to post a sign in 13,000 units on the beach?”

Curry also posed a question about enforcement of the sign requirement.

Gisbert said city code enforcement will not be checking units for the signs.

“I think the best policing we’re going to have is to probably leave this thing alone,” Gisbert said. “But if all of a sudden we get calls from one condo that say ‘my tent disappeared, why did this happen?’ Now we know they didn’t post signs.”